Transport system

ABSTRACT

A transport system for people and the like, wherein vehicles of limited capacity move rapidly on one level and are adapted to be transferred from the one level to a second level which is vertically displaced from the one level. Guide means is provided for directing the movement of the vehicles between the two levels in a vertical path portion connecting the two levels, the vertical path portion having curvilinear portions at the opposite ends thereof for interconnecting the vertical path portion with the respective levels; carrier means being provided for receiving vehicles from one level and for discharging the vehicles at the other level, the carrier means being arranged for movement on selected path portions including said vertical path portion; the carrier means being further adapted to operate in a manner such that the vehicles thereon maintain horizontal positions over the selected path portions.

'Alimanestianu et al.

11] 3,918,367 Nov. 11, 1975 [54] TRANSPORT SYSTEM 7 [75] Inventors:Mihai Alimanestianu; Nicholas M.

Alimanestianu, both of Upper Nyack, NY.

[73] Assignee: Mihai Alimanestianu, New York,

[22] Filed: Apr. 30, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 355,687

[52] US. Cl. 104/88; 104/172 R; 214/161 B [51] Int. Cl. B61] 3/00 [58]Field of Search .1 104/88, 89, 93, 96, 105,

104/112, 116, 118, 121, 130, 131, 147, 261, 27, 28,172 B; 214/l6.l B,16.1 BA, 16.1 BB

Primary Examiner-M. Henson Wood, Jr. Assistant E.raminerRichard A.Bertsch [57 ABSTRACT A transport system for people and the like, whereinvehicles of limited capacity move rapidly on one level and are adaptedto be transferred from the one level to a second level which isvertically displaced from the one level. Guide means is provided fordirecting the movement of the vehicles between the two levels in avertical path portion connecting the two levels, the vertical pathportion having curvilinear portions at the opposite ends thereof forinterconnecting the vertical path portion with the'respective levels;carrier means being provided for receiving vehicles from one level andfor discharging the vehicles at the other level, the carrier means beingarranged for movement on se-v lected path portions including. saidvertical path portion; the carrier means being further adapted tooperate in a mannertsuch that the vehicles thereon maintain horizontalpositions over the selected path portlons. 1

15 Glaims, 10 Drawing Figures US. Patent Nov. 11, 1975 Sheet 1 of 5 US.Patent N0v.11, 1975 Sheet3of5 3,918,367

US. Patent Nov.11, 1975 Sheet40f5 3,918,367

U.S. Patent Nov. 11, 1975 Sheet50f5 3,918,367

TRANSPORT SYSTEM way of mass transit systems, has been receivingincreasing attention, particularly with increasing usage of such systemsand the congestion accruing therefrom. With conventional systems such asthe subway, a number of disadvantages are apparent, including (1) arelatively low people moving capacity; (2) Substantial cost of thesystem, taking into account the large tunnels and heavy equipmentrequirements; (3) the station arrangements where passengers are loadedand discharges; and which involve the use of steps or escalators toconnect the street level with the depressed subway level.

Alternatively, if the station is located at the street level, asproposed; long inclined track portions must be provided to connect thelower subway level with the upper street level. Also, with conventionalsubway systems, the stations must be of substantial length toaccommodate the multi-car trains of increasing length. It has beenestablished that conventional subway systems are incapable ofefficiently handling the ever increasing numbers of passengers and thecapital costs of such systems have reached astronomical figures.

. Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide an improvedmass transport system which utilizes relatively small capacaity vehiclesarranged to move at high speed under automatic controls to selecteddestinations; the vehicles moving over a depressed main line level andswitched from the main line track to street level stations correspondingto the selected destinations, the movement of the vehicles betweenlevels being in a vertical path.

Another object of this invention is to provide a transport system of thecharacter described, wherein the switched vehicles are arranged to meetindividual carriers which engage the vehicles and have guided movementin sepected paths to effect the transfer of such vehicles betweenlevels; the vehicles maintaining their normal horizontal position at alltimes.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a transport system ofthe character described, guide means for directing the carrier means ina path such as to progressively engage the vehicles; separating suchvehicles from a terminal track portion; moving the carrier and vehiclecontained therein in a curvilinear path in a vertical plane which joinsthe vertical path.

Still another object of this invention is to provide in a transportsystem of the character described, coacting means on the carrier meansand the vehicles for registering the vehicles with the carrier means,preventing relative lateral movement thereof while allowing relativevertical movement whereby the vehicle can be separated from the carriermeans.

Yet another object of this invention is toprovide a transport system ofthe character described, wherein the carrier means are arrangedformovement in selected patterns related to the displaced levels; thecarrier means being pivotally connected to extended, flexible memberswhich are moved positively in the selected patterns.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide in a transportsystem of the character described, which includes track means traversedby the vehicles, the track means terminating at a given point in thepath thereof; the carrier means having guided movement to progressivelyapproach the terminal track in a path converging with the track means toeffect separation of the vehicle from the track means and tocontinuously move in a curvilinear path from a substantially horizontalpath to a substantially vertical path.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a transport systeminvolving multi-le-vels wherein the mode of movement of the vehicles maybe of I) shuttle type; (2) intersecting main lines at vertically spacedlevels with a single station level for handling the intersecting mainlines which are at levels vertically spaced from the station level, byway of vertical path portions connecting the several levels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic showing atransport system embodying the invention, as applied to a selectedpattern of movement of vehicles between vertically displaced levels;

FIG. 2 is a plan view indicated diagrammatically and showing a portionof the system set forth in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic plan view showing a single vehicle of thetransport system in relation to trackage and propulsion means;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic side elevational view showing the relativedisposition of a vehicle and its carrier immediately before theirengagement;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic end elevational view of the related vehicle andcarrier shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a partial side elevational view showing details of thecarrier, guide means therefor, carrier moving means in relation to eachother;

FIG. 7 is an end elevational view showing details of the carrier, guidemeans therefor, and carrier moving means;

FIG. 8 is a top plan View showing details of driving means related tocarrier means, guide means, and guide members; FIG. 9 is a top plan viewshowing the details of guide members on a carrierin relation to chaindrive means for moving the carri'erin a selected transport pattern; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another pattern of a transport systemembodying the invention, comprising a pair of intersecting main line,and spur lines for each including a station portion for both main linesat a street level.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Essentially the transportationsystem of the instant invention is based on the use of small capsules orvehicles which carry a limited number of passengers, travel atrelatively high speed and are automatically switched between main linetracks and spur line tracks at the various successive stations along themain line tracks.

However, the stations are located at levels which are vertically.displaced from the level of the main line tracks. Typically the stationsare at street levels while the main level is depressed below the stationlevel, as in a subway. Such arrangement necessarily involves themovement of the vehicles over a vertical path as the same move betweenthe main line track and the portion of the spur line track which extendsthrough the station level.

Accordingly, thereis provided carrier units adapted to engage and carrythe individual vehicles over the substantially vertical paths whichextend at opposite ends of the station track to the spur line portionslocated at the depressed main line level. The disposition of thevehicles on the individual carrier units is such as to maintain thevehicles at their usual position, on the vertical path as well ashorizontal paths.

Also, the transition of the combined carrier unit and vehicle from thehorizontal to the vertical and from the vertical to the horizontal iseffected in a smooth manner by providing for curvilinear movement in avertical plane for the vehicles by virtue of the pattern of movement ofthe carrier units.

The system of the instant invention may be applied to a variety ofvehicle movement patterns, involving displaced levels and vertical orsubstantially vertical path portions which extend between the displacedlevels; including endless main lines; shuttle lines between two points;intersecting main lines at different levels, and the like.

Thus, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, the system of the instant invention isillustrated as applied to one end of a shuttle system whichinterconnects a pair of spaced points by way of a depressed main linelevel and stations at said points located at a street level.

Such system indicated generally at 10, comprises a station levelgenerally indicated at 11 and a depressed track level generallyindicated at 12. On track level 12, is disposed track 13 terminating atpoint 14 for vehicles V travelling in direction A and track 15 forvehicles V travelling in the opposite direction B. Track 15 terminatesat point 16.

Vehicles V travel on track 13 to point 14 therein which is somewhat inadvance of the track 17 in station level 11 at terminal point 18thereof; track 17 terminating at point 19 at the other end thereof.

Means is provided for transferring vehicles V from track 13 at terminalpoint 14 thereof, to track 17 at point 18 thereof; such means taking theform of carrier units C which are adapted to move in a given path havingsuccessive portions for effecting engagement of a carrier C by a vehicleV immediately before point 14, followed by separation of the combinedcarrier C and vehicle V from track 13 and then moving in a vertical pathgenerally indicated at 20 towards the station level The transition ofmovement of carrier C and vehicle V thereon is marked by a curvilinearpath portion 21 which extends between the horizontal path portionimmediately beyond track end 14 and the lower end of vertical pathportion 20. Similarly at the upper end of path portion 20, a curvilinearpath portion 22 provides the transition between the vertical andhorizontal at station level 11.

However, vehicle V on carrier C is brought into alignment with track end18 and passes to track 17 at point 18 where carrier C is separated fromvehicle V by depression of path portion 23 of carrier C. When vehicle Vstanding on track 17 is to move out of station level 11, the movingvehicle V is in alignment with a carrier C which is raised to the properlevel by path portion 24 of the carrier.

The carrier C and vehicle V thereon then traverse the curvilinear pathportion 25, followed by downward movement on path portion 26 andcontinued movement on curvilinear path portion 27. At this point vehicleV can move on aligned track 15 at track end 16 with separation of thecarrier C from vehicle V. The

empty carriers C continue their movement on path portion 28 for locationbeneath track 13 at track end 14, where the original operation isrepeated. The carriers C are moved in determined path portions by achain 46, later described in detail, and advanced by a motor drivensprocket wheel .29 which is also effective to change the direction ofmovement of carriers C.

Track 15 immediately at track end 16 includes an offset portion 15Awhich is parallel to track 13, to allow vehicles V to move on track 15Ain the opposite direction B. It is understood that the transferarrangement of vehicles V from main line level 12 to station level 11and back to main line level 12, is repeated at the other end of theshuttle line.

The carriers C, as shown in FIGS. 6, 7, comprise a bottom wall 35 andparallel side wall portions generally indicated at 36. Each side wallportion 36 comprises spaced upstanding arm portions 37 having concavelycurved upper edges 38; and an upstanding triangular shaped wall portion39 interconnecting arm portions 37.

Outwardly projecting guide rollers 40, 41 are mounted on the basecorners of each of wall portions 39. Further guide rollers 42, 43 aremounted in axially spaced relation on outwardly projecting stub shafts44 which are fixed at their inner ends to the apex portions of wallportions 39, as at 45. Movement of carriers C in their specifiedmovement patterns, is provided by roller chains 46 which are connectedto the carriers C by way stub shafts 44, lying between rollers 42, 43.The chains 46 engage sprocket wheels 47 suitably mounted on fixed baseportions which are driven by a motor 48, pullies 49, 50 and a belt drive51.

The pattern of movement of carriers C is established by guide channelmembers fixedly mounted to base portions of wall or other structuredefining the overall selected path. Thus. as shown in FIG. 6, an upperrun portion 46A of chain 46 is received in channel guide means 52 whilea lower run portion 46B of chain 46 is received in channel guide means53.

Rollers 40, 41 on carrier C are also received in guide channel memberssuch as those indicated at 55, 56 which are suitably fixed to baseportions. When carriers C move on horizontal path portions, guidemembers 55, 56 are in horizontal alignment. When carriers C move invertical paths, guide members 55, 56 are in a vertically, laterallydisplaced arrangement. Thus, the carriers C have a swivelling or pivotalconnection to roller chains 46 which allows for flexibility of movementof the carriers C in all path portions.

Guide roller 40 is mounted on one side of the carrier C and is locatedin a forward position while guide roller 41 is mounted on the other sideof carrier C and is located in a rearward position. Such arrangement ofguide rollers 40, 41 together with the opposed apex guide rollers 42,43, serves to insure proper movement of the carriers C in all pathportions and in particular the curvilinear and vertical path portions.Further, carriers C maintain their normal position relative to thevertical and horizontal at all times while traversing the vertical andcurvilinear path portions as well as the horizontal path portion.

Means is provided for interengaging the vehicles V with their respectivecarriers C and maintaining the same in engaged relation. To this end,vehicles V have downwardly extending members 60 having convexly curvedouter ends 61. When the empty carriers C move in converging relation tovehicles V on track end 14, the depending members 60 align with arms 37and the opposed end edges 61,38 abut. Thus, vehicles V are kept fromlateral movement while allowing for vertical displacement whennecessary.

To allow for proper movement of the carriers C from a position belowtrack 13 in advance of track end 14 to a position above track end 14, tothereby engage vehicle V and to separate the same from track end 14;

track end 14 s suitably cantilevered and bottom wall 35 As shown in FIG.3, the lower portion of vehicle V includes motors M coupled to wheels Wfor propulsion over tracks including the usual main line track, notshown; spur line track extending from the main line track, and the like.The motors M are supplied with current from a third rail R by way ofconventional shoes S.

The instant invention is applicable to a variety of transport patterns,particularly where stations are located at street level or any upperlevel, in relation to a relatively depressed main line, with switchingtherefrom to a spur line having a portion extending through the stationlevel.

As a further example of a transport pattern to which the instantinvention is particularly adapted, a pair of intersecting main lines 65,66 are shown in FIG. 10. Here the main lines 65, 66 are in verticallydisplaced relation to each other and may be at right angles to eachother.

A single station 67 which is at street level, serves both main lines 65,66 which are at depressed levels in relation to the street level.Vehicles are adapted to be switched from main line 65 to a spur lineportion 68 colevel with main line 65 and then proceed in a vertical pathportion 69 and thence to the station level portion 70. Upon leaving thestation level portion 70, th vehicles move downwardly in a vertical pathportion 69' and thence in a horizontal spur line portion 68 back to mainline 65, to continue movement on said main line 65.

Similarly, vehicles switched from the other main line 66, traverse aspur line portion 71 colevel with main line 66, a vertical path portion72 up to the station 67, the station level portion 73 which is spacedfrom and colevel with station level portion 70. The vehicles leavingstation 67 travel downwardly by way of vertical path portion 72' andthence on spur line portion 71 colevel with main line 66, back to saidmain line 66.

It is understood that the vehicles will be moved by carriers C over thevarious path portions, in the manner previously indicated. Further, astation platform, not shown, is located between the station levelportions 70, 73 for passenger loading and unloading of the vehicles.

It will be apparent, that with movement of vehicles in carriers C,particularly over vertical path portions in transfer between main lineand station levels; that the station platforms may be relatively short,thereby conserving space at the street level.

While the transport pattern shown in FIG. 1, shows the carriers Cseparated from vehicles V as they enter on track 17; it is understoodthat alternatively, the

combined vehicle and carrier units may be arranged for movement overtrack 17 without separation of the carriers C from vehicles V.

The instant invention is particularly applicable to a transport patternwhere the main line is of the endless type, with stations connected tosuch main line at spaced points; the stations being at a street leveland the main line at a depressed level, the connections being by way ofspur line portions having vertical path portions.

We claim:

1. A transportation system comprising a moving vehicle and carrier meansfor engaging said moving vehicle, guide means for directing said movingvehicle in a substantially horizontalrectilinear path to a given pointin said path, guide means for directing said carrier means in arectilinear path converging with said first mentioned path whereby saidcarrier means will meet said vehicle at said given point in said firstmentioned path and said carrier means will engage said vehicle, saidfirst and second guide means being arranged relative to each other toeffect the engagement of said carrier means with said vehicle while saidcarrier means and said vehicle are in motion, said second guide meansincluding a first portion operative to effect a progressive separationof said vehicle from said first guide means, said second guide meansincluding a second portion operative to effect a conjoint movement ofsaid vehicle and carrier means in a curvilinear path portion in averticle plane, said second guide means including a third portionoperative to effect the further movement of said vehicle and carriermeans in a substantially vertical path.

2. A system as in claim 1, and further including a second substantiallyhorizontal path in vertically displaced relation to said firstsubstantially horizontal path, third guide means on said second path,said second guide means further including a portion operative to effectconjoint movement of said carrier means and vehicle in a secondcurvilinear path in said vertical plane and extending from a terminalportion of said vertical path,

said second guide means further including a portion operative to directsaid carrier means and vehicle to said third guide means on said secondhorizontal path.

3. A system as in claim 2, wherein the last mentioned portion of saidsecond guide means'is vertically displaced from said third guide meanswhereby said vehicle is separated from said carrier means for furthermovement along said third guide means.

4. A system as in claim 2, wherein the last mentioned portion of saidsecond guide means moves in a path operative to effect conjoint movementof said carrier means and said vehicle along said second path.

5. A system as in claim 1, wherein said first guide means includes trackmeans, said track means terminating at a given point in said firsthorizontal path, the terminal portion of said track means being incantilever relation to the portion of said track means being incantilever relation to the portion of said track means extendingrearwardly of the terminal portion of said track means, said secondguide means being operative to guide said carrier means in a first pathportion below the terminal portion of said track means and a secondportion beyond said first path portion progressively app'roaching theterminal portion of the track means whereby said carrier means willengage said vehicle and upon continued movement of said carrier meanswill raise said vehicle above the terminal portion of said track means.

6. A system as in claim wherein said carrier means includes aligningmeans and said vehicle includes aligning means for registering with thealigning means on said carrier means whereby to register said vehicleand carrier means in determined spatial relation to each other.

7. A system as in claim 6 wherein the aligning means on said carriermeans and said vehicle include interengageable portions for retainingsaid vehicle against lateral movement relative to said carrier meanswhile permitting relative vertical separating movement of said vehicleand said carrier means.

8. A transport system as in claim 1 and including means for moving saidcarrier means, said moving means comprising a movable elongated flexiblemember, and means interconnecting said elongated member and said carriermeans.

9. A transport system as in claim 8, wherein said interconnecting meanscomprises means for pivotally coupling said carrier means to saidflexible member.

10. A transport system as in claim 1, and further including guideelements on said carrier means and fixed guide means for receiving saidguide elements on said carrier means, said fixed guide means beingarranged relative to each other to maintain said carrier means inhorizontally level positions at all points in the paths of movementthereof.

11. A transport system as in claim 10, wherein said guide elementscomprise guide roller members on opposite sides of said carrier means,said guide rollers being in triangular spatial relation to each other.

12. A transport system comprising first track means on one level,vehicles movable on said track means, second track means on a secondlevel vertically displaced from said first level, means for transferringsaid vehicle from the first track means on the first level to the secondtrack means on the second level, said first track means terminating at atransfer point therein, said transfer means comprising carrier means,means for moving said carrier means and guide means for directing themovement of said carrier means in a path related to the terminationpoint of said first track means and said second track means, said pathincluding successive portions including (1) a path portion disposed tobring the carrier means into engagement with a vehicle on the terminalportion of said first track means, (2) a path portion disposed to efiectseparation of the vehicle from the terminal portion of' the first trackmeans and continued conjoint movement of the carrier means and thevehicle, (3) a path portion of curvilinear configuration toprogressively effect the conjoint movement of the carrier means and thevehicle from the horizontal to the vertical, 4) a path portion to effectthe continued conjoint movement of the carrier means and the vehicle ina vertical path, (5) a path portion of curvilinear configuration toprogressively effect the conjoint movement of the carrier means and thevehicle from the vertical to the horizontal, and (6) a path portion todirect at least the vehicle to said second track means on said secondlevel.

13. A transport system comprising a pair of main tracks in adjacentrelation on a given level, a station at another level, track means insaid station, vehicles movable in one direction on one of said maintracks and movable in the opposite direction on the other of said maintracks, means for transferring vehicles between said main tracks and thetrack means in said station, said transferring means comprising carriermeans, means for moving said carrier means, guide means for directingthe movement of the moving means in a predetermined path related to saidmain tracks and the track means in said station, said carrier meansbeing movably connected to said moving means whereby said carrier meansmay assume a horizontal position at all points in said predeterminedpath, said path including successive portions including l) a pathportion for directing the moving carrier means to engage a vehicle andto separate the vehicle from one of said main tracks, (2) a path portionof curvilinear configuration for progressively changing the conjointmovement of the carrier means and the vehicle from the horizontal to thevertical, (3) a path portion for directing the conjointly moving carriermeans and vehicle in a vertical path, (4) a path portion of curvilinearconfiguration for progressively changing the conjoint movement ofcarrier means and vehicle from the vertical to the horizontal, (5) apath portion for directing at least the vehicle to the track means inthe station, (6) a path portion for directing the conjointly movingcarrier means and vehicle to a terminal portion of the other of the maintracks, and effecting a separation of the carrier means from the vehicleand directing the carrier means to path portion (1) while leaving thevehicle on the other of the main tracks.

14. A transportation system comprising a first main line track on onelevel, a second main line track on another level and in angular relationto said first main line track, a station vertically displaced from saidmain line tracks, a pair of adjacent coplanar spur line tracks in saidstation, track means connecting the opposite ends of one of said spurline tracks to one of said main line tracks at spaced points therein,second track means connecting the opposite ends of the other of saidspur line tracks to the other of said main line tracks at spaced pointstherein, each of said track means comprising a pair of vertical portionsand a horizontal portion, vehicles moving on said main line tracks,selected vehicles being adapted to be switched from said main linetracks to said spur line tracks via said connecting track means, andmeans for transferring vehicles between the spur line tracks and saidtrack means.

15. A transport system including carrier means, said carrier means beingmovable in a determined path, said path comprising successivehorizontal, curvilinear and vertical portions, guide means defining saidpath portions, guide members on said carrier means for engaging saidguide means, and means for advancing said carrier means in said path,said guide members and guide means coacting to maintain said carriermeans in a normal position thereof relative to the horizontal andvertical while said carrier means is advanced over said horizontal,curvilinear and vertical path portions.

1. A transportation system comprising a moving vehicle and carrier meansfor engaging said moving vehicle, guide means for directing said movingvehicle in a substantially horizontal rectilinear path to a given pointin said path, guide means for directing said carrier means in arectilinear path converging with said first mentioned path whereby saidcarrier means will meet said vehicle at said given point in said firstmentioned path and said carrier means will engage said vehicle, saidfirst and second guide means being arranged relative to each other toeffect the engagement of said carrier means with said vehicle while saidcarrier means and said vehicle are in motion, said second guide meansincluding a first portion operative to effect a progressive separationof said vehicle from said first guide means, said second guide meansincluding a second portion operative to effect a conjoint movement ofsaid vehicle and carrier means in a curvilinear path portion in averticle plane, said second guide means including a third portionoperative to effect the further movement of said vehicle and carriermeans in a substantially vertical path.
 2. A system as in claim 1, andfurther including a second substantially horizontal path in verticallydisplaced relation to said first substantially horizontal path, thirdguide means on said second path, said second guide means furtherincluding a portion operative to effect conjoint movement of saidcarrier means and vehicle in a second curvilinear path in said verticalplane and extending from a terminal portion of said vertical path, saidsecond guide means further including a portion operative to direct saidcarrier means and vehicle to said third guide means on said secondhorizontal path.
 3. A system as in claim 2, wherein the last mentionedportion of said second guide means is vertically displaced from saidthird guide means whereby said vehicle is separated from said carriermeans for further movement along said third guide means.
 4. A system asin claim 2, wherein the last mentioned portion of said second guidemeans moves in a path operative to effect conjoint movement of saidcarrier means and said vehicle along said second path.
 5. A system as inclaim 1, wherein said first guide means includes track means, said trackmeans terminating at a given point in said first horizontal path, theterminal portion of said track means being in cantilever relation to theportion of said track means being in cantilever relation to the portionof said track means extending rearwardly of the terminal portion of saidtrack means, said second guide means being operative to guide saidcarrier means in a first path portion below the terminal portion of saidtrack means and a second portion beyond said first path portionprogressively approaching the terminal portion of the track meanswhereby said carrier means will engage said vehicle and upon continuedmovement of said carrier means will raise said vehicle above theterminal portion of said track means.
 6. A system as in claim 5 whereinsaid carrier means includes aligning means and said vehicle includesaligning means for registering with the aligning means on said carriermeans whereby to register said vehicle and carrier means in determinedspatial relation to each other.
 7. A system as in claim 6 wherein thealigning means on said carrier means and said vehicle includeinterengageable portions for retaining said vehicle against lateralmovement relative to said carrier means while permitting relativevertical separating movement of said vehicle and said carrier means. 8.A transport system as in claim 1 and including means for moving saidcarrier means, said moving means comprising a movable elongated flexiblemember, and means interconnecting said elongated member and said carriermeans.
 9. A transport system as in claim 8, wherein said interconnectingmeans comprises means for pivotally coupling said carrier means to saidflexible member.
 10. A transport system as in claim 1, and furtherincluding guide elements on said carrier means and fixed guide means forreceiving said guide elements on said carrier means, said fixed guidemeans being arranged relative to each other to maintain said carriermeans in horizontally level positions at all points in the paths ofmovement thereof.
 11. A transport system as in claim 10, wherein saidguide elements comprise guide roller members on opposite sides of saidcarrier means, said guide rollers being in triangular spatial relationto each other.
 12. A transport system comprising first track means onone level, vehicles movable on said track means, second track means on asecond level vertically displaced from said first level, means fortransferring said vehicle from the first track means on the first levelto the second track means on the second level, said first track meansterminating at a transfer point therein, said transfer means comprisingcarrier means, means for moving said carrier means and guide means fordirecting the movement of sAid carrier means in a path related to thetermination point of said first track means and said second track means,said path including successive portions including (1) a path portiondisposed to bring the carrier means into engagement with a vehicle onthe terminal portion of said first track means, (2) a path portiondisposed to effect separation of the vehicle from the terminal portionof the first track means and continued conjoint movement of the carriermeans and the vehicle, (3) a path portion of curvilinear configurationto progressively effect the conjoint movement of the carrier means andthe vehicle from the horizontal to the vertical, (4) a path portion toeffect the continued conjoint movement of the carrier means and thevehicle in a vertical path, (5) a path portion of curvilinearconfiguration to progressively effect the conjoint movement of thecarrier means and the vehicle from the vertical to the horizontal, and(6) a path portion to direct at least the vehicle to said second trackmeans on said second level.
 13. A transport system comprising a pair ofmain tracks in adjacent relation on a given level, a station at anotherlevel, track means in said station, vehicles movable in one direction onone of said main tracks and movable in the opposite direction on theother of said main tracks, means for transferring vehicles between saidmain tracks and the track means in said station, said transferring meanscomprising carrier means, means for moving said carrier means, guidemeans for directing the movement of the moving means in a predeterminedpath related to said main tracks and the track means in said station,said carrier means being movably connected to said moving means wherebysaid carrier means may assume a horizontal position at all points insaid predetermined path, said path including successive portionsincluding (1) a path portion for directing the moving carrier means toengage a vehicle and to separate the vehicle from one of said maintracks, (2) a path portion of curvilinear configuration forprogressively changing the conjoint movement of the carrier means andthe vehicle from the horizontal to the vertical, (3) a path portion fordirecting the conjointly moving carrier means and vehicle in a verticalpath, (4) a path portion of curvilinear configuration for progressivelychanging the conjoint movement of carrier means and vehicle from thevertical to the horizontal, (5) a path portion for directing at leastthe vehicle to the track means in the station, (6) a path portion fordirecting the conjointly moving carrier means and vehicle to a terminalportion of the other of the main tracks, and effecting a separation ofthe carrier means from the vehicle and directing the carrier means topath portion (1) while leaving the vehicle on the other of the maintracks.
 14. A transportation system comprising a first main line trackon one level, a second main line track on another level and in angularrelation to said first main line track, a station vertically displacedfrom said main line tracks, a pair of adjacent coplanar spur line tracksin said station, track means connecting the opposite ends of one of saidspur line tracks to one of said main line tracks at spaced pointstherein, second track means connecting the opposite ends of the other ofsaid spur line tracks to the other of said main line tracks at spacedpoints therein, each of said track means comprising a pair of verticalportions and a horizontal portion, vehicles moving on said main linetracks, selected vehicles being adapted to be switched from said mainline tracks to said spur line tracks via said connecting track means,and means for transferring vehicles between the spur line tracks andsaid track means.
 15. A transport system including carrier means, saidcarrier means being movable in a determined path, said path comprisingsuccessive horizontal, curvilinear and vertical portions, guide meansDefining said path portions, guide members on said carrier means forengaging said guide means, and means for advancing said carrier means insaid path, said guide members and guide means coacting to maintain saidcarrier means in a normal position thereof relative to the horizontaland vertical while said carrier means is advanced over said horizontal,curvilinear and vertical path portions.